Holiday overview

A visit to Bletchley Park is a highlight of this short break, where we'll explore the historic site of the secret British code-breaking activities during the Second World War and birthplace of the modern computer. We'll also visit the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Holiday highlights

Spend a whole day at Bletchley Park

Discover the secrets of the code-breaking activities including the Enigma machine

Visit Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a World Heritage Site

Price includes

High quality Full Board en-suite accommodation and excellent food in our Country House

The guidance and services of our knowledgeable HF Holidays’ leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday

All transport on touring days on a comfortable, good-quality mini-coach with PA system, as well as all other transport required as part of your holiday itinerary

All admissions to places of interest that form part of your holiday itinerary

In pictures...

Accommodation

Dating from the Tudor period and of, considerable historic interest, Harrington House mirrors the mellow architectural style of the Cotswolds. Its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to the charming centre of Bourton-on-the-Water make it ideal for those who prefer a less active holiday.

Harrington House has 29 bedrooms. Most are located in the main house, with others in the adjacent cottages.

Choose your room

Classic Rooms• Check in from 2:30pm• Comfortable accommodation • En-suite bathroom with bath or shower• 23 inch TV• Hairdryer• Tea and coffee-making facilities• Double or two single beds• Toiletries• Single rooms are available at no extra charge

Family Rooms• Check-in from 2:30pm• 3 or 4 beds • Same facilities as our classic rooms• Full sized twin or double beds for adults and bunk or occasional beds for children

Facilities

• Excellent boot and drying rooms • Main house there is a lounge, dining room and a bar• Ballroom• At the very top of the house is the observatory • Free WiFi in public rooms

• Range of board games and books• At the rear of the house there is an attractive walled garden with a large croquet lawn

Dining

All holidays at our Country Houses are full board accommodation including evening meal on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure. All of our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

√Start your day with our extensive breakfast.√ Take your fill from our famous self-service picnic lunches√ A relaxed social dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses

Your evenings

Just relax and take it easy, or if you'd like to continue to chat with our guides and fellow guests then why not grab a drink or take part in one of our optional evening activities.

All of our bars are stocked with locally sourced drinks so you can really soak up your surroundings.

Accessibility

Due to the layout and age of Harrington House, it is not recommended for wheelchair users or anyone with restricted mobility.

Although one bedroom has wheelchair access, the access to the main house has some steps and internally there are some steps to negotiate.

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued

Mobile phone reception is generally good from the main building

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times

Information can be provided in large print

Staff have received disability awareness training

Special diets can be catered for. Specialist food can be obtained with prior notice

Fridge for medication can be supplied

Itinerary

Arrival day

You can check in to your room from 2.30pm onwards. Please join us for afternoon tea.

Blenheim Palace

We’ll spend most of the day exploring this magnificent World Heritage palace and its beautiful grounds. As well as finding out about the Dukes of Marlborough, our visit features Blenheim’s many associations with World War II, including stories of evacuation and spies. Winston Churchill was born here – we’ll see the room he was born in, and later, his grave at nearby Bladon.

Bletchley Park

We visit Bletchley Park to get inside the brilliant minds of the World War II code-breakers. Options for the day include a tour of the site, viewing the mansion and decoding huts, understanding how the Enigma, Lorenz and Bombe machines work, and learning more about Alan Turing and his colleagues. This is no imitation, this is real!

Depart after a leisurely breakfast

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Local area

Discover the Cotswolds

Bourton-on-the-Water is situated at the heart of the Cotswolds, a beautiful area of rolling green hills and attractive stone towns and villages.

Harrington House is located in a quiet street, just 100 metres from the centre of Bourton. This is one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds, frequently busy with visitors. The River Windrush winds its way through the central village green and is crossed by a series of attractive stone bridges.

Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular destination in its own right with its specialist shops and attractive village green. Local attractions include the motor museum, model village and Birdland wildlife park, all within easy walking distance.

The village has a good range of facilities including a small supermarket, post office, newsagent, pubs and bank.

During your stay at Harrington House you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest:

Chipping CampdenThe mellow market town of Chipping Campden, about 30 minutes' drive north of Bourton-on-the-Water, is one of the most visited towns in the Cotswolds.

Hidcote Manor GardensOwned by the National Trust, Hidcote is a small manor house with an exceptional garden designed in the Arts and Crafts style. Around 35 minutes' north from Bourton-on-the-Water. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

BroadwayConsidered as one of the most beautiful villages in Britain it is easy to see why so many visitors are attracted to Broadway. Don’t let this put you off; Broadway is still worth a visit. To get away from the crowds, consider a walk to Broadway Tower for stunning views of the Vale of Evesham. Around 30 minutes' drive from Bourton.

Stratford-upon-AvonFamous for its Shakespeare connections, Stratford is an attractive town spanning the River Avon. Of particular interest are the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Shakespeare Birthplace Museum. Around 40 minutes' drive from Bourton. www.rsc.org.uk or www.shakespeare.org.uk

Blenheim PalaceBlenheim Palace is one of the grandest and best-known stately homes in Britain. It sits in extensive parkland and is also famous as the ancestral home of Winston Churchill. www.blenheimpalace.com

CheltenhamThe fine Regency spa town of Cheltenham has an excellent range of shops and facilities. Cheltenham is around 25 minutes' drive from Bourton, and can also be reached by an hourly local bus.

Gloucestershire & Warwickshire RailwayRide the steam railway through attractive Cotswold countryside from Cheltenham to Toddington about 30 minutes' drive from Bourton. Now restored, this was once the Great Western main line to Birmingham. www.gwsr.com

OxfordThe famous university city of Oxford is about an hour’s drive from Bourton-on-the-Water. You may wish to stroll through the historic colleges or visit the Ashmolean Museum. www.ashmolean.org

Travel

Travel to Bourton-on-the-Water

By train:

The nearest railway station is Moreton-in-Marsh. However, the nearest mainline station is at Cheltenham Spa which may be more convenient. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

By taxi:

From Moreton-in-Marsh station a taxi takes approximately 20 minutes and costs £21 if pre-booked. From Cheltenham Spa station a taxi takes around 30 minutes and costs £42 if pre-booked. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Harrington House Manager.

By bus:

From Moreton-in-Marsh station catch the 801 bus to Bourton-on-the-Water,from where it is a short walk to our Country House. Alight next to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop. Cross the road to the war memorial and continue across the bridge. Follow this road for 150 metres until the road forks. Harrington House is on the left.

By car:

From the A429 take the road into the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water. At the war memorial by the village green, turn into Sherborne Street. Follow this road for 150yds, crossing the river and passing the motor museum until the road forks. Harrington House is on the left before the fork. Look out for our sign. A car park is available in the grounds with free parking.

Travelling from overseas

For most guests, travelling to London Heathrow airport is the most convenient option.

From Heathrow first take the train to London Paddington station. From here there are direct trains to Moreton-in-Marsh. It's a relatively straightforward journey - just over 2 hours. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.

From Moreton-in-Marsh you can travel on to Bourton-on-the-Water by bus or taxi (see above).

Leaders

Graham Horn

After 30 years as a Transport Planner, Graham successfully retrained as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide. He is a geographer by qualification and an explorer by instinct, and frequently has a map in his hand. Graham's travels have taken him to many parts of the country, where he enjoys discovering out-of-the-way places as well as an area's better known towns and buildings. He has a particular interest in the countryside, waterways, industrial heritage and places where history happened. Graham is also an HF Holidays' walking leader and has led at more than half of the UK's Country Houses.

Excellent leader. Did his best to make the holiday as good as possible for each one of the guests on the Discovery Tour.